This post is a reflection on the fast-paced chaos of 2025 and how easily we can lose ourselves in it. I explore the idea of four core groundings - Nature, Community, the Great Divine, and Self-Care - and how reconnecting with them can help us find clarity and balance. It's the start of a journey into understanding ourselves better - physically, mentally, and emotionally - so we can show up and move through life with purpose.
Is It Just Me?
I don’t know about you, but this year has been flying by. One minute, I was setting my New Year’s resolutions and mapping out my goals for 2025, and the next we’re in April already. It’s been an absolute whirlwind of a start.
At the beginning of the year, I had this overwhelming feeling that 2025 was going to be the year of big changes. A year to set things up, to grow, to lay the groundwork for breakthroughs (though, isn’t that how every year starts?). But with all the noise, distractions, and the sheer busyness of life, I found myself feeling stuck. And as the months rolled by, that feeling only grew. I felt like I was falling behind on my goals, watching everything I had envisioned for the year slowly slip away.
Living in the Chaos
If there’s one thing this year has made clear, it’s that the world isn’t waiting for anyone to catch up. It’s easy to get caught up in everything happening - the Trump elections, the war in Ukraine heading into its third year, the P. Diddy case, the VAT increases in South Africa, the ever-growing pothole and traffic light crisis in Joburg, the return of load shedding, and of course, the relentless rise in the cost of living.
These topics have dominated conversations with my clients during our sessions, and what fascinates me most is how differently people react.
I remember the day of Trump’s election - one client was in absolute disbelief, anxious about what’s to come, while another was buzzing with excitement over the possibility of change. Same event, completely opposite reactions. And that divide? It’s showing up more and more in our communities, creating an “us vs. them” mentality that only adds to the overwhelming noise.
And in that noise, in the conflict of opinions, responsibilities, expectations, and stress, it’s easy to lose sight of your own life and aspirations. To get so caught up in the business of this world that we forget to live in it. I was in this space for a very long time.
The Four Groundings of Being Human
With the constant flood of information, it’s tempting to focus on everything happening out there rather than tuning in to what’s happening inside. But a recent trip to Port Alfred for a friend’s wedding gave me a much-needed perspective shift.
Maybe it was the fresh air, maybe it was the slow pace of a small coastal town, or maybe it was the words of the pastor during the ceremony. He spoke about three things that ground us as human beings:
- Nature - because stepping outside, appreciating your own garden, or escaping the city to take in the mountains, ocean or forests around you has a powerful way of refreshing the mind.
- Community - because we aren’t meant to do life alone, and the people around us shape our experience of it. When last have you spoken to family?
- The Great Divine - whatever that means to you, whether it’s faith, spirituality, or simply believing in something bigger than yourself.
And as I sat there, I realised how much I had been neglecting all three. Not only does nature ground us, but it also rejuvenates us. Community reminds us we’re not alone. And having something greater to believe in gives us perspective when life feels chaotic.
But I want to add a fourth grounding, one that I believe plays a crucial role in how we perceive ourselves in this chaotic world:
- Taking Care of Ourselves - because when we neglect our well-being, everything else starts to slip. Too often, we brush off a bad mood or a rough day without taking responsibility for the simple factors that might be influencing it. And more often than not, it comes down to four basic things:
- Did I get a good night’s sleep?
- Have I had enough water?
- Am I hungry?
- Did I move my body today?
If you can honestly answer yes to all four and still feel drained, overwhelmed, or off-balance, then it might be time to look deeper. But so often, we overlook these basics and wonder why we feel out of sync. Our ability to move, function, and perform at our best starts with how we care for our bodies and minds.
A Journey of Understanding
This blog is a new journey for me, but it’s deeply personal. My introduction to writing has always been through my own experiences - what I’ve learned, what I’ve struggled with, and what I’ve seen in the people around me. My goal isn’t just to share stories but to create a space for understanding. Because the better we understand - our bodies, our pain, our habits, our potential - the better we can perform.
My hope is to contribute to at least two of these four groundings:
- Community - by creating a space built on trust, honesty, and shared growth.
- Self-Care & Understanding - by sharing knowledge around well-being, injury prevention, movement, and managing pain. I’ll be diving into things like postural corrections, strength training, the importance of daily movement, and how understanding your body can empower you to live better.
So, if you're reading this, welcome. This space is for you, for me, for all of us. Here's to slowing down, reconnecting with what grounds us, and making the rest of 2025 as meaningful as possible.
